We all knew it would happen sooner or later, right? After watching Yuri!!! On Ice (which is NOT a Boy Love; FIGHT ME), it was only a matter of time until this gateway drug positioned me fittingly to observe a whole new world of Shounen-ai; and observe I did, from the shadows of the YOI fandom, accidentally picking up various series’ fan art here or a text post there. None of it ever seemed like my thing, to be quite honest. And that’s fine; we all have our things.

But then, on YouTube one day, I was listening to AMVs on autoplay, and I found one around this ship…

From the tonal darkness to the character design to the idea reincarnated lovers…

I mean, I am most obstinately curious. I’m going into this blind, yes, but does this not sound exactly like something that I would love given how I feel about Vampire Knight?

So, now I’m jumping in to my first official “boy love.” And this is where it begins. Episodic commentary, ahoy! MAJOR SPOILER FREE!?

Episode 1:

This is the most obvious boy love fodder that ever was. I just want everyone to know that. And Luka? jgbalriubgar;ihg’aiehg;ab

I just wanted everyone to know that, too.

“What should I do?” Yuki asks. Why, continue on to the next episode, of course!

Episode 2:

This is just the most dramatic, angstiest thing, oh my gosh. And coming from me, that’s really saying something. It’s so vague and sentimental and full on emo and I just…

I love it.

I’ll admit it; I’m self-aware enough to understand that it isn’t necessarily a GOOD title, but it’s enjoyable so far. It’s so goofy, too! I love how strangers who say that their your brothers can just take you from orphanages without a blood test or some kind of proof. I love that. Like, way to make sense, anime orphanage policies.

But, oh, my gosh—it’s just SO dramatic and I LOVE IT. I LOVE THE DRAMA. Because I’m a sucker for angst. We’ve been over this, yes?

Let’s see where this goes, with siblings-I-thought-were-lovers-one-of-whom-can-talk-to-birds and gatekeepers and immortal-boyfriends and spontaneous brothers…

AND ZESS-SAN.

Episode 3:

How do I feel about the nakedness and low-key but obvious thorny bondage? Like… that’s bondage, for sure. Took me a while to realize it, but…

So, yeah. Bondage.

These children’s bed time story is vague as $h**; I don’t see how they can POSSIBLY be happy with something this confusing, but continue, by all means…

In other news, Yuki’s brother is so freaking attractive.

Night of the “Land of the Lustrous” Monster Rejects has left me on a CLIFF HANGER. Clearly, I need to know more.

Episode 4:

I mean, we’re crucifying demons by this point. Literally.

Also, Zess-san MAAAYYYY be the son of Satan or something, but, you know, semantics?

And my heart is breaking into itty bitty pieces in all the good and bad ways, but it’s fiiiiinnneee…

Episode 5:

Toko-chan needs to stop crushing on Yuki’s Luka-san, I’ll tell you that right now. I didn’t think I would fall into the ship so quickly, but I am all aboard the Lu-ki express.

I alternate between shipping in the extreme and just losing it over the unintentional comedy. (And it is unintentional. I haven’t seen any significant intentional comedy yet…)

Yuki’s power is shaping up to be the most hurt/comfort/I Need A Man To Save Me thing in the history of anime. I’m down.

HOW IS IT JUST HITTING ME THAT THE PROTAGS IN VAMPIRE KNIGHT AND THE BETRAYAL HAVE THE SAME FIRST NAME!?!?!?!

I smell a former love-triangle. Something tells me that Luka and Hotsuma had a rivalry going on in a past life…

Episode 6:

What happens if you name a cat after your ship name? #Luki

…

Eating a McDouble like a model ^^^

This has rapidly become something far more serious that episodic commentary won’t do justice.